Children's Theater Festival, 4

The Monday evening performance in the Ti Fiabo e Ti Racconto Children's Film Festival was "Mignolina," better known as "Thumbelina" in English. It was performed by the Drammatico Vegetale Theatre Company of Ravenna.

This photo is not my creation. It was donated because, woe is me, my camera is on the blink. I need to take it in to the camera shop for repairs. It is not a great camera anyway, but at least it worked...

Children's Theater Festival, 3

Last night was the first evening of the official performances in the Children's Theater Festival "Ti Fiabo e Ti Racconto." The Teatro Verde group, from Rome, performed "La Scarpetta di Cristallo Ovvero Cenerentola." It was a humorous twist on the classic story of Cinderella, told from the various points of view of the characters in the story, but principally from the point of view of the glass slipper.

Via Sant'Orsola, 18

It may not look like much, but I spent 11 years of my life living behind this stone wall and lancet arch on Via Sant'Orsola. My husband did a beautiful job of creating our home in what was once a 14th century Benedictine monastery. Sounds grand, I know, but our home was basically formed of three large rooms and a loft.

Behind this arched gateway lies the only true "courtyard" in Molfetta's old town, with a beautiful stone stairway. I should show you a picture of the courtyard, but I don't really want to go back in there because I know it will be different from when we lived there. This was my first home as a newlywed, my two sons were born and lived the first years of their lives here...there are so many memories and I would like to remember the place as it was when it was ours.

So, why did we move away? Well, as glamorous and romantic as living in a piece of history may sound...it was damp and moldy! I developed a nasty allergy to mold while living there. I had repeated bouts of pneumonia and even ended up in the hospital. So, I told my husband that as beautiful as the house was...I was not willing to die for it!

Children's Theater Festival, 2

Last night's headlining event in the "Ti Fiabo e Ti Racconto" Children's Theater Festival was "The Pillow Fight," led by the Compagnia il Melarancio (from Cuneo), but performed by everyone present. 654 soft beanbag type pillows were dropped down onto the audience from above and the fight was on! Hundreds of men, women and children went wild throwing pillows around. It was a lot of fun!

Claudio, one of the festival helpers, kindly agreed to model the official festival t-shirt.

Children's Theater Festival

The 14th edition of Ti Fiabo e Ti Racconto, an annual children's theater festival, began last night. Theater groups from around the world participate and the main performance yesterday was by an amazing Russian group called Mini-Dlin Marionettes (click on the name to go to their exhaustive and fascinating website). These marionettes are hand-made by the group members and are incredibly expressive!

The festival begins with three days of free performances in the streets and squares around town. Yesterday there were shows by an Italian group, an Argentinian performer and the Russians.

There will then be six days of performances held in an outdoor amphitheater. These shows are judged by elementary and jr. high school age children and an award is presented to the best group on the last day of the festival.

Courtyard 2

This is another courtyard/entryway in Molfetta Vecchia. It is less ornate than the last one I showed you, but still has its charm and dates back to the 16th century.

Monthly Theme Day: Empty

"Unless your heart, your soul, and your whole being are behind every decision you make, the words from your mouth will be empty, and each action will be meaningless. Truth and confidence are the roots of happiness." (Kathleen Pedersen)

Today is Theme Day in the City Daily Photo community. Our theme this month is "Empty." Click here to view thumbnails for all participants